The best tips for how to defrost chicken fast!

How many times have you forgotten to take chicken out of the freezer to thaw and use for dinner tonight?

Ever got home to prepare a delicious chicken dinner only to realize your chicken is still in the freezer? So frustrating, but keep reading for some great tips on how to quickly defrost a chicken.

Rather than ordering pizza or making a run to the grocery store to buy a ready-to-cook chicken, try this instead. 

There are actually a few different methods you can use when you need to quickly defrost a chicken. And it makes a difference if it is boneless chicken or bone in, so keep that in mind.

In this article, I’m going to share the ones that are the safest options. Before we jump into the best methods to quickly defrost chicken, let’s talk about the ways you should NOT defrost chicken. 

By the way, these thawing methods work for any type of poultry!

Chicken Defrosting Methods to Avoid

Don’t Leave Chicken Out to Thaw at Room Temperature

It may seem to make sense to let something that is frozen thaw out by just putting it somewhere that is room temperature and waiting.

But, this method is actually your best bet if you want to get food poisoning.

Bacteria thrives in temperatures ranging from 40-140°F (5-60 °C). Most room temperatures are right smack in the middle of that range!

So, leaving your chicken sitting on the countertop leading up to dinner can lead to a risk of foodborne illness after dinner. Salmonella is a very real risk!

In fact, it’s not recommended you keep ANY meat out on the kitchen counter at room temperature for more than 1 or 2 hours – even if it’s been fully cooked. 

 

Don’t Defrost Chicken in the Microwave

I know, I know. The microwave literally has a defrost setting. If it’s not safe to use, why would they have it?

For one, unless you hit the perfect balance between defrost time, meat weight, and microwave wattage, there’s always a chance that some of the chicken will actually start to cook.

This means that when you go to PROPERLY cook the chicken, those parts will likely be overcooked. Not only does this affect cooking time, but the chicken will have more of a chewy texture.

But, more importantly, defrosting chicken in the microwave can get it into that bacteria danger zone mentioned above.

Always remember: temperatures ranging from 40-140°F (5-60 °C) = Bacteria

This means you will need to cook your chicken immediately after defrosting to avoid food poisoning.

It’s also not recommended that you defrost a whole chicken in the microwave. Reserve microwave thawing for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken strips. 

So, if you’re not supposed to leave it out at room temperature or pop it into microwaves and hit ‘defrost’, what SHOULD you do to quickly defrost a chicken?

Keep reading for my top 2 methods.

How to Defrost Chicken Fast

Use the Cold Water Method

One of the best ways to quickly defrost a chicken is to submerge it into cold tap water. This may seem counterproductive.

After all, why would you want to defrost something by sitting it in COLD water?

However, this is actually the method used by most professional chefs. The method is pretty straightforward. Remove the frozen chicken from the original packaging.

Place your chicken in a Ziploc bag or other leak-proof bag (to keep your meat from getting waterlogged and soggy) and then place it into either a sink full of cool water OR in a deep bowl of water.

 

 

Make sure the water is less than 40°F (5°C) at all times. You can do this by either keeping a stream of water running at that temperature OR check the water every 30 minutes if you want to conserve your water. 

Depending on the size of your chicken, this method can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours (with the bigger chickens taking longer, of course.)

If you have a whole chicken and want it to defrost faster, wait until it has defrosted enough for you to safely cut it into smaller pieces.

If it is a big chunk of smaller pieces, wait until it defrosts a bit and then carefully separate the pieces so that they’re able to defrost quicker.

It also helps to change out your water more frequently if you’re opting to go that route. 

Remember to cook the chicken as soon as it has thawed!

How to Defrost Chicken Breast Fast?

Use a Hot Water Bath

Ok, so you’re probably reading this and questioning my credibility. How do I go from recommending a cold water bath to a hot water bath?

Let me clarify: use this method ONLY for thinly sliced frozen chicken.

It’s not recommended for thick pieces of chicken or whole chickens.

But, if you’re trying to defrost some frozen boneless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or something along those lines (no more than about an inch thick), this method can have you from frozen to ready-to-cook in 30 minutes (or less). 

As with a cold water bath, you want to place your bagged chicken in the kitchen sink or bowl full of water.

This time, however, you want the temperature of the water to be at least 140°F (60°C).

Be sure to check the temperature often and to stir the water every now and then so that pockets of cold water don’t sneak up on you.

The goal is to keep the chicken out of that bacteria danger zone and in a warm enough temperature range.

Be sure to cook the chicken as soon as it has been thawed. 

 

Quick Tips for Defrosting Chicken

Cook Defrosted Chicken Immediately

I know I’ve mentioned this at least 3 times so far, but I feel like it’s important enough to say one more time.

Once you have defrosted your chicken (by whichever method you choose) – cook it immediately!

This will help you (and your fellow dinner companions) from dealing with a bout of food poisoning. 

Defrost Chicken in the Refrigerator

If you don’t absolutely need to eat chicken tonight, I highly recommend choosing another meal to cook and defrosting your chicken in the best possible way – by using the refrigerator method.

 

That’s right – the SAFEST way to thaw frozen chicken is in your refrigerator.

Make sure you put it in a bowl or deep pan, just in case it starts to leak. It may take 1-2 days to thaw a large whole chicken, but this is hands down the best and safest way to defrost a chicken. 

Never set thawing chicken on a refrigerator shelf above raw vegetables – prevent cross contamination!

Buy a Meat Thermometer

If you cook a lot of meat I highly recommend buying a food thermometer. They could, quite literally, be a lifesaver.

Or, at the very least, save you from spending a lot of time bent over the toilet. 

Tips for How to Freeze Chicken

If you can, try to freeze the amount of chicken your family can eat in one or two meals in one container. This way thawing time is decreased.

If you have questions about any type of food safety and handling, governmental agencies can be found online with the answers you need.

I hope that this has helped you in some way. May your days be filled with delicious meals and plenty of laughter around the dinner table!

Now, let’s get chicken on the menu and get cooking.

Here are a few of our favourite Chicken Recipes:

Lemon and Rosemary come together to make this Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Recipe an absolute delight

This zingy Japanese Chicken is like a sweet and sour – but it’s not. It’s even better!

 

Now you know how to defrost chicken fast and safely, use these thawing tricks when you need them!

 

Our entire Country Living in a Cariboo Valley Recipe Collection can be found here

We all know that it is important to eat healthily, but did you know that some foods naturally give your immune system a boost?

This can be especially important to keep in mind in times of stress, illness, or the ever-dreaded cold and flu season. Here are a few foods that you should be eating to keep your immune system performing at its very best.

 

Eat these foods to boost your immune system

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are just bursting with flavor, and have 130% of the daily value of vitamin A you need. Plus 30% of the daily value of vitamin C that you need. They also contain a healthy dose of fiber, no cholesterol, no fat, and only 100 calories in each one.

Vitamins A and C are very important when it comes to keeping your immune system functioning properly. There are also tons of ways that you prepare sweet potatoes so you can eat them often and not get bored with the same old thing.

Here’s a Sweet Potato Chili recipe that sounds delicious!

 

Garlic

Garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties which make it a superfood when it comes to boosting your immune system.

Allicin is the active ingredient in garlic. Several studies have shown that people who took a supplement with it caught less than half as many colds as participants who took a placebo.

 

The duration of the colds was also shorter for those participants. You can add garlic to nearly any savory dish that you are cooking. If you don’t like the taste garlic supplements work too.

 

Ginger

Ginger is full of flavor and it has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent scientific studies have even shown that ginger stimulates the immune system. This helps to kill viruses like those that cause the common cold and flu.

Ginger can help to soothe a cough, and also helps to settle a queasy stomach. Drinking ginger tea regularly is an excellent way to boost your immune system. It may even prevent you from ever getting a cold in the first place.

To make ginger tea, simply slice some thin pieces off of the root and place in a cup of boiling water to steep. You can also add ginger to stir-fries, soups or curries.

A little grated ginger makes a wonderful addition to some baked goods and marinades for your favorite meat.

 

Spinach

Spinach is full of vitamin C, and folate, both of which boost your immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights off infection. It also helps to replenish other antioxidants in the body.

 

Spinach also contains a healthy dose of zinc which many people take as a supplement when they have a cold. Throw it in a salad, a smoothie, or your stir fry. You will reap the benefits from both raw and cooked spinach.

 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is packed full of antioxidants, as well as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. It’s a great spice to give your immune system a boost.

It also helps to lower blood sugar and may help to lower blood pressure as well. Cinnamon can easily be added to your morning coffee or tea, baked goods, and smoothies.

You can also add a pinch of cinnamon to savory dishes that have another warming spice like cumin or turmeric in them.

 

Blueberries

Blueberries are a superfood and the small little berries pack a powerful punch when it comes to your health and boosting your immune system.

 

They are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. They really help to boost your immune system. Blueberries can also help to lower your blood pressure, prevent heart disease, boost your brain health, and lower blood sugar.

You should consider adding blueberries to your diet to improve your health.

 

These are just a few of the foods that you should be eating if you want to improve your health and give your immune system a boost to prevent you from getting sick in the first place.

The more of these foods and others that you can add to your diet, the better you will feel. Many of these immune-boosting foods can also be enjoyed together for an even more powerful boost to your immune system.

 

 

Wanting to make sure you have a well stocked Pantry over the winter months? Check out these Pantry Essentials to keep on hand.

Check out our Recipe Collection here on Country Living – nothing but fresh and healthy (often homegrown) food here! Well….we do have some sugary Christmas treats too.

Here’s a great plan for saving money on groceries – take a look!

 

This list of pantry staples to keep on hand will ensure you have what you need in case of emergency.

Winter is here and that can mean finding yourself stuck indoors for a few days while waiting for a blizzard or winter storm to pass. There is nothing worse than hearing the latest forecast and not being prepared. Going out to the store only to find that there is nothing left to buy is not a good thing.

A well-stocked winter pantry can keep you from having to head out, and you will know that you have plenty of food on hand to keep your family full and happy. Read this post to learn what healthy pantry staples are must-haves!

We fill our pantry with home canned goods. And in the winter, after we’ve spent the morning outside playing in the snow, we can come in and grab some home canned soup for lunch. 

Some days we are outside almost all day long – it helps that we’ve learned how to layer winter clothing the right way – and yes, there is a right way to do it. 

While our shelves are full of home canned vegetables, fruits and meats, you don’t need to home can if you don’t want to!

Instead, stock up at the grocery store when your favorite foods are on sale. Even adding a few cans a week to your shopping list will help to fill pantry shelves for the winter.

Whenever you find a great deal, buy a case if you can afford it. You’ll be eating that food for a great price. You can literally save thousands of dollars a year if you stock your winter pantry this way!

Simply stocking up on sale items your family will eat is a great way to save money.

 

Essential Foods for the Winter Pantry 

Canned Meats

Canned meats can offer you a variety of protein-packed dinner options, and you don’t have to worry about it being perishable.

You can choose from canned tuna, chicken, and salmon, but make sure that you buy what your family will enjoy.

From tuna casserole to chicken pot pie, there are a variety of warm filling meals that can be made with canned meats.

 

Baking Staples

Keep flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cornmeal, cocoa powder, and salt on hand.

This opens up a world of possibilities of both sweet and savory baked goods that you can make.

Cookies, cakes, cornbread, loafs and biscuits are baked goods that go along with any meal. Baking up something delicious can also help keep the kitchen warm.

Baking is also a fun thing for family members to do together. It helps with meals and snacks and keeps the family occupied for awhile doing something together.

 

Canned Soup and Chili

Canned soups can help you to prepare a quick and easy lunch or dinner. They will warm you up and they can be quite tasty and they come in a variety of flavors.

Keeping several different types on hand can satisfy the whole family and offer a bit of variety to choose from.

Canned chili can also be quite satisfying and they come in a variety of different types featuring different beans, and spices.

Canned chili can be quickly heated up, and you can make a meal out of them by putting the chili on top of rice or a baked potato.

 

Rice, Beans, Lentils, Oats and Dried Pasta

Having these staples on hand will give you a lot of different meal choices. You can use oats to make oatmeal for a hot and filling breakfast or make oatmeal cookies.

You can also make this homemade granola recipe – serve over yogurt and top with berries for a healthy quick breakfast.

Dried beans can be soaked overnight and cooked on the stove or in the slow cooker the next day. They can be an excellent side dish or a main dish with some piping hot cornbread on the side.

Dried pasta can be used in casseroles, soups, stews, or served on its own with a hearty sauce. Try this recipe for Ham and Bean Crockpot Soup.

 

Fruit Cups, Canned Fruit and Pie Fillings

We usually freeze apple slices and apple pie fillings for winter use. However, you can home can them or buy canned fruit at the grocery store.

Having shelf-stable fruit on hand can add some variety to your diet. They are packed full of vitamins, and are a sweet treat. Add a fruit cup alongside a bowl of oatmeal, or with a soup and sandwich lunch.

It’s a well rounded and satisfying meal. If you keep some pie filling on hand you can whip up a pie or easy apple crisp for a treat after dinner.

 

Canned Vegetables

If you don’t want to have to run out to the store for fresh vegetables having canned ones on hand is an excellent option.

Mixed vegetables can easily be added to soups or stews. Home Canned Tomato sauce can be used to make a delicious pasta sauce, so make sure that you keep a variety of canned vegetables on hand.

You can use them for side dishes or add them to the main dish to fill it out a little. Canned vegetables are a very handy and versatile winter pantry essential.

 

Chocolate, Coffee and Tea

Chocolate, coffee, and tea are items every pantry needs, especially if there is a chance of being stuck at home for a few days.

Whether you buy beans to grind coffee at home, stock up on Keurig pods or buy coffee by the can, coffee is a staple for your pantry.

Buy coffee when it’s on sale – unopened, it won’t go bad and you will never run out.

Keep some instant coffee on hand in case the power goes out. Your favorite type of hot tea can also warm you up on a cold winters day and provide you with a much-needed caffeine boost. Teas are sold in bags or as loose leaves, so stock up on whatever works best for you!

Chocolate is also an excellent mood booster! You can use it to bake up a sweet treat, or simply enjoy it as a snack.

These are of course not the only winter pantry essentials that you might want to keep on hand, but they are a great start.

Having these staples available to you will ensure that you can make meals for your family without having to go to the store.

Also, stock up on your family’s favorite snacks before winter hits. Keep these basic supplies and ingredients on hand to make being stuck in a storm a lot more tasty, and enjoyable. 

So get started stocking with basic pantry staples for winter!

 

Pantry Staples List

Here’s a full comprehensive list of pantry staples you’ll need for the winter, including some items that may not have been mentioned above!

• Canned Meats
  • Tuna
  • Chicken
  • Salmon
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking Powder
• Kosher Salt
• Cornmeal
• Cocoa Powder
• Chocolate Chips
• Peanut Butter (or other Nut Butters)
• Pecans, Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, etc.
• Ground Cinnamon
• Spices and Herbs
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Ground Mustard
  • Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Curry Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Bay Leaves
  • Red Pepper Flakes
• Vinegars (like Red Wine Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar)
• Canned Soup
• Canned Chili
• Condiments (some of these will need to be refrigerated)
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Soy Sauce
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Salad Dressing
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Tomato Sauce
• Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth, etc.
• White Wine and Red Wine for Cooking
• Oats
• Rice
• Pasta (Spaghetti, Penne, anything you like!)
• Beans
• Dried Berries
• Canned Fruit
• Pie Filling
• Canned Vegetables
  • Green Beans
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Asparagus
• Olive Oil
  • Sesame Oil
  • Canola Oil
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Tea
• Granola

 

Want to read more about pantry staples, canning and food preservation?

• Everything we have ever written about home canning.
• How I go grocery shopping without leaving my house!
• Budget Stretching Ideas for almost everything!

 

 

 

originally published 2019; latest update November 2022